Palmer accused seeks separate trial

A THIRD man charged with murdering Kerrie Palmer and burying his body in sand dunes may apply for a separate trial as the group of five accused continues to disintegrate.

Adam Bargenquast had already signalled his intent to apply for a separate trial, with speculation another of the accused may do the same.

Brisbane Supreme Court was yesterday told Mark Holmes and Wade Davis would both join a legal application before the court, believed to be requesting separate trials.

If successful, that would leave Audy Desaubin and Jon Farthing as the remaining parties of any joint proceedings. There has also been mention in court that two of the accused men may become Crown witnesses in the case.

The men are charged with killing Mr Palmer on January 27 last year and burying his body in Mudjimba sand dunes.

None have entered pleas, and all remain in police custody.

Legal argument on the matter of separate trials is expected to go before the court on October 11. The matter is not expected to go to trial until next February.

It will be alleged the men grabbed Palmer from outside a Noosa home and bashed him repeatedly before his death.

Police allege that after attempting to bury him in hinterland scrub the accused shifted the body to the Mudjimba sand dunes.